Military enlistment: who’s getting out and when in 2013-2014
“Mandatory Military Service” are probably the three most despised words in a Kpop fan’s vocabulary. The very mention of the term, immediately invokes a cringe and causes fans to cry, wail, and panic. Why? As we all know, Kpop fans are one of the most dedicated and die-hard groups of fans in the world, so when their favorite artist has to serve his military service, naturally they become quite upset. Two years without new albums, tours, or seeing them perform on music shows can be quite traumatic for some fans. But still, the purpose of the conscription is important and meaningful to the Koreans; for the defense of the country and largely seems as a transition stage of manhood from a boy to a man.
As a Kpop artist embarks on his journey into the Korean military, fans go to every length and distance to show their support by starting support campaigns and even “Countdown Till Release” time clock sites. “Who’s in” and “who’s getting out soon” are very hot topics among the fan community, so we at hellokpop set out to compile a release-date list for our readers. Currently there are twenty-two Korean celebrities serving in the military who are set to be discharged within the 2013-2014 cycle.
Check out the following list to see if your favorite artist will be discharged, and when.
*Note: All dates are estimated based on enlistment date and branch of service enlistment time requirements. This list is categorized by month of enlistment date.
[January - April ]
Kim Jang Hyun (Sunny Hill)
- Enlistment date: January 31, 2012
- Estimated discharge date: February/March 2014
Kim Yong Jun (SG Wannabe)
- Enlistment date: February 16, 2012
- Estimated discharge date: February/March 2014
Min Kyung Hoon (Singer/Actor)
- Enlistment date: March 6, 2012
- Estimated discharge date: December 2013
Jay Kim (TRAX)
- Enlistment date: March 26, 2012
- Estimated discharge date: January 2014
Dari (Dalmatian)
- Enlistment date: April 25, 2011
- Estimated release date: March 2013
[May - August ]
Kim Hye Sung (Actor)
- Enlistment date: June 14, 2011
- Estimated release date: April 2013
Kim Jae Wook (Actor)
- Enlistment date: July 5, 2011
- Estimated release date: May 2013
Kim Kyu Jong (SS501)
- Enlistment date: July 23, 2012
- Estimated release date: May 2014
Ji Hyun Woo (The Nuts)
- Enlistment date: August 7, 2012
- Estimated release date: May 2014
[ September - December ]
Kim Heechul (Super Junior)
- Enlistment date: September 1, 2011
- Estimated release date: July 2013
Jung Taewoo (Actor)
- Enlistment date: September 14, 2011
- Estimated release date: July 2013
Kim Jun (T-MAX)
- Enlistment date: September 29, 2011
- Estimated release date: July 2013
Kim Kyung Rok (V.O.S)
- Enlistment date: September 29, 2011
- Estimated release date: July 2013
Lee Hyun (8eight)
- Enlistment date: October 8, 2012
- Estimated release date: June 2014
Jung Ji-Hoon (Rain)
- Enlistment date: October 11, 2011
- Estimated release date: July 2013
Kim Jungmo (TRAX)
- Enlistment date: October 25, 2012
- Estimated release date: June 2014
Jung Yunhak (Supernova)
- Enlistment date: October 25, 2011
– Estimated release date: June 25, 2013
Hwanhee (Fly To The Sky)
- Enlistment date: October 27, 2011
- Estimated release date: August 2013
Leetuk (Super Junior)
- Enlistment date: October 30, 2012
- Estimated release date: August 2014
Sangchu (Mighty Mouth)
- Enlistment date: October 30, 2012
- Estimated release date: August 2014
Wheesung
- Enlistment date: November 7, 2011
- Estimated release date: August/September 2013
Ghun (X-5)
- Enlistment date: December 5, 2012
– Estimated release date: October/November 2014
Did you see your favorite artist mentioned here? Who’s release are you looking forward to the most? Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments!
Orange Caramel to release Japanese single ‘Lipstick’
Avex Trax made an announcement on November 6 in regards to Orange Caramel‘s Japanese comeback and have unveiled that the girls will release a new single entitled Lipstick, which happens to be the title track from the group’s first Korean album.
The upcoming single will contain a remake of a track featured on a Japanese animated motion picture, as well as a song produced by Daishi Dance entitled Milkshake.
Lipstick will officially be released on December 12.
Sources: News – Star News; Photo – Orange Caramel Japanese Facebook
SMTOWN Live Tour III in Singapore confirmed
Good news to all Kpop fans in Singapore! Running Into The Sun brings SMTOWN Live Tour III in Singapore on November 23 at The Float, Marina Bay.
Fans will get the chance to watch SM Entertainment‘s artists such as BoA, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and SHINee. DBSK, Kangta, Zhang Liyin, CSJH, TRAX, f(x) and EXO are still unconfirmed in the line-up.
Ticket details will be released by the organizers next week, while selling will start in October.
Orange Caramel releases short PV for ‘Yasashii Akuma’
On August 9, Avex Trax released the short PV version of Orange Caramel‘s Yasashii Akuma, translated to English as My Sweet Devil.
The visual presentation of the music video is described to be cute and comical as Orange Caramel dons pink and orange dresses, orange horns, and dance to unique choreography in a location adorned with apples and bright colors.
Yasashii Akuma is a popular hit track by 1970′s J-pop group Candies, and will be serving as Orange Caramel’s debut single. Orange Caramel’s album will officially be released on September 5. In the meantime, check out the video below.
Sources: News – avexnetwork; Photo – ningin; Video – avexnetwork
f(x) releases Japanese music video for ‘Hot Summer’
After teasing with a short video for the Japanese version of f(x)‘s Hot Summer, Avex Trax has finally unveiled the full video for the track. The release date of the single album has not been announced, but f(x) will be in Japan on October for their first showcase entitled, 1st Shock.
In the music video, the members don on white outfits and dance in an faux outdoor location, adorned with cotton candy pink clouds and pink-and-white spike balls. F(x) then switches between several locations all decorated in pink. The girls also switch between white, blue, and red outfits.
Take a look at the video below:
Sources: News – koreaboo; Photo – koreanupdates; Video – diedi215
